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"I am not a king," Trump said, sharing an AI video of himself flying a jet and dropping sewage onto a crowd of demonstrators. ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Thousands of people turned out for several “No Kings” protests in Essex County last weekend to criticize the administration of President Donald Trump. In Essex County, protests took place in Bloomfield, Caldwell, Glen Ridge, Maplewood, Montclair and Newark. Demonstrators criticized Trump’s track record on immigration, free speech, education and health care, among other issues. Protesters carried signs that read: “Never Give In, Never Surrender,” “No Kings And No Billionaires - We Need A Whole New System,” “The Only Way To Survive Is By Taking Care of One Another,” and “Democracy Does Not Fear Protests - Dictators Do.” Some people wore inflatable costumes, such as those recently seen at protests in Portland, Oregon. Article continues below CROWD ESTIMATES, TRUMP ‘POOP VIDEO’ Held nationwide, the rallies were the second wave of “No King” protests since Trump took office earlier this year. The protests were organized independently across the nation by local advocacy groups and community members. Dozens of national advocacy groups and nonprofits supported the rallies as “partners.” An estimated five million people attended thousands of events during the first wave of protests in June. This weekend’s protests reportedly attracted even larger crowds, with 2,700 separate events drawing an estimated seven million people – making it one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history. “From rural communities to major metropolitan centers, the message was clear: America will not be ruled by fear, force, or one man’s power grab,” organizers with NoKings.org said. The gatherings were overwhelmingly peaceful, with police in New York City and Washington D.C. – the sites of some of the largest rallies – reporting no protest-related arrests. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the weekend was apparently a “violent-free, free speech exercise.” Johnson, a Republican, criticized the rallies, labeling them a Democratic “stunt” and alleging that despite the lack of physical violence, “violent rhetoric” took place that involved the president. Trump has also mocked the No Kings protests, calling them “very small” and "ineffective.” “I am not a king,” he told reporters. “I work my ass off to make our country great – that’s all it is.” In response to last weekend’s protests, Trump shared a bizarre AI-created video of himself piloting a fighter jet emblazoned with the words “King Trump.” Wearing a crown on his head, the president zooms over a crowd of demonstrators and airdrops a payload of sewerage on their heads. The video got laughs from some internet commenters, but left many others shaking their heads in disbelief. “Only in 2025 could the president post an AI video of himself dropping poop from a jet and people still treat it like normal politics,” one commenter wrote. OTHER PROTESTS IN ESSEX COUNTY A series of protests have been taking place against the Trump administration in Essex County since the president took office for his second term. More than 1,200 rallies of various sizes took place across the United States on April 5, with some sources estimating the overall attendance at over a million people. Local “Hands Off!” protests were held in Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Maplewood, Montclair and West Caldwell. Read More: Anti-Trump Protesters Hit The Streets In Essex County (PHOTOS) Another round of protests took place on April 19, with local rallies taking place in Bloomfield, Glen Ridge and West Caldwell. Read More: Protesters Bash Trump In 3 Essex County Towns Over Easter Holiday Weekend A third major wave of protests happened on May 1, with two candidates for New Jersey governor attending rallies in Bloomfield and West Caldwell. Read More: ‘May Day’ Protests In Essex County Attract NJ Governor Candidates The first wave of “No Kings” protests on June 14 included rallies in Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Newark, Montclair and South Orange. Read More: Essex County Residents Protest Trump At 'No Kings' Rallies Organizers switched focus for the “Good Trouble” protests on July 17, which saw local events in Bloomfield, Caldwell, Montclair and Newark. Read More: ‘Good Trouble’ Rallies In Essex County Will Protest Trump, Honor Civil Rights Icon The statewide “Hands Across New Jersey” rally crossed through several Essex County towns on Sept. 17. Read More: Human Chain Protest Will Cross Through Essex County Essex County has also seen demonstrations in support of Trump, including a rally in Montclair organized by local GOP voters prior to the president’s Election Day victory. See Related: Jan. 6 Attendee Wants Street In His Hometown Renamed For Donald Trump PROTESTING THE PROTESTS Essex County has become a hotbed for anti-Trump demonstrations since he took office earlier this year. Some local residents have cheered for the protesters, but others say they support the president. There have also been complaints about the way the protests have been taking place – and their locations. After demonstrators held a “Workers Over Billionaires” rally on Sept. 1 in Caldwell, several people called for more regulations on protesting at a borough council meeting (watch video footage here, comments begin around the 35-minute mark). One resident questioned whether police required overtime to monitor the rally, which they did not, according to the town’s police director. He also asked if a permit was needed – which it was not, the town’s mayor replied. A Caldwell resident complained about some of the signs that protesters were carrying, including accusations that Trump is a “pedo.” “At what point do we hold these people accountable and at what point do we have a right to stop them?” she asked the council. “They say a lot of scary and unsafe things about our officials, police and firemen – at what point does it become not peaceful?” Another resident suggested that the location of the rallies be moved, questioning if they would be upsetting to young children passing through the area. Other political gatherings have recently taken place in Caldwell, including a candlelight vigil in remembrance of conservative pundit Charlie Kirk after his assassination last month. See Related: NJ Republicans Overwhelmingly Support MAGA Movement, Poll Finds Nearby in West Caldwell, local residents and elected officials have also been embroiled in controversy over the ongoing protests. The town council recently considered passing a law that would have forced demonstrators to pay the township a permit fee and agree to reimburse West Caldwell for “any reasonable and foreseeable expenses,” including police service, setup and cleanup costs. They would also be required to have $2 million in liability insurance and notify the township at least 30 days before the rally. The proposed law drew some heavy criticism from civil rights advocates, who claimed it was unconstitutional and treats the First Amendment as a “privilege to be bought” – rather than a “right to be enjoyed.” A crowded room of people spoke against the proposed law at a council meeting in September. A vote was eventually postponed and the proposal is “off the table,” the town’s mayor told Patch. See Related: NJ Town's Plan To Charge People For Protesting Is Off The Table – For Now PROTESTER RIGHTS Civil rights advocates have insisted that the right to protest is “critical to a functioning democracy” – and there are plenty of safeguards in place to protect it. According to the ACLU of New Jersey, protestors have several protections under the First Amendment, but the government can place certain limits on individuals during a protest, like reasonable time, place or manner restrictions. “For example, the government can stop you from protesting loudly late at night,” the nonprofit says. “However, the government cannot place limits on the content of your speech,” the ACLU-NJ adds. “You are generally free to carry signs, banners or leaflets that have your message.” Ordinarily, a “clear and present danger” of riot, disorder or threat to public safety is needed to break up a protest, the group says. Protesters’ rights are the strongest when you are in what is considered to be a “traditional public forum,” such as a public street, public sidewalk, or public park. Counter protesters also have the right to assemble and express their views. Police are supposed to treat protesters and counter protesters equally and are permitted to keep opposing groups separated. See Related: 'Know Your Protest Rights': New Jersey ACLU Shares Tips For Activists See Related: Police Followed Protocol During Controversial Protest, NJ Mayor Says Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
